A spray method I'm going to try

[Dave Bagwill]

I actually picked this up from a banjo builder's site!
Quote -
"I too am a big fan of Tru-Oil. I expect I have used over 40 gallons in the last 11 years. I use it differently than most folks have mentioned here. Having tried most of the sprayed finishes, I settled on Tru-Oil for many reasons. I have a nice spray booth and finishing room in my shop. After doing a great deal of research of the product and application, I ended up spraying the product cut 50/50 with VM&P Naphtha. It will dry in four hours and ready for another coat if one is in a hurry. I can generally finish a Maple or Cherry neck or rim in six coats. Walnut may take a coat or two extra. I don't generally use any sealer, filler or other product with it. The exception would be on problematic woods I do a shellac barrier coat sometimes.

It seems I have been lucky as I have never gotten a bad bottle of the product nor have I shaken it before using. Although we mostly use it cut but sometime use it uncut when hand applying. Skimming over hasn't been a problem using 32 oz bottles but I did get a little bit when I used gallon cans. I guess I go through it a lot faster than many people would. I have used the 50/50 mix three or four weeks later and it was fine with no skim in the bottle. I mix it into a clear 64 oz bottle for daily use.

I often buy the product from Birchwood-Casey directly. I have interacted with their tech department a fair amount. They say Tru-Oil is a Oil Varnish. I also have purchased it from sportsmansguide.com

I rub out the finish with 0000 steel wool and Liberon paste wax for a super fast satin finish. I have never experienced the finish being anything but very hard and unchanging after it has dried.

This is of course just my experience, others opinions may vary. Unquote

[dave d]

I'm eager to hear about your experience doing this!

[Dave Bagwill]

And you shall!